Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1887-03-26
ONLY A COMPANION.

at teems to me | don't look az we'll
rs usual tonight" said Mre. Major
Dartburg, shaking her jet-black cnrls
| in a serpentine cataract a6out her face
| as ehe spoke, and critically survey ing
herself In tGo mirror.
Mira. Major Dartburg had been youn.
ser, and size had been p-sttier, but she
was surprisingly well gotten-up TO, all
that. BY eaaliGht you coult hardly
have told tina, she was g day over 80
years OF age. And, as she Invariably
took the precaution 10 be accompanied
into society" by her companion. Miss
Ormsoy, whose special duty 1t WAS to
observe and correct all mis.ekes OF COS
tune, complexion ard ourls before
other eyOs could possibly detect them,
Mrs. Dartburg felt tolerahly safe.
Mrs. Dartburz was o widow In search
OF rich husband. The deceased major
had beer iroonsiderate enough to die
and leave her with an income which
vas decidedly Incompatible with her
wauts-ana the only thing left for her
was to marry fome one who could sup
pie the awkward deficiency.
80 ka.e OImsby was taken every year
to some gay watering-place or bril-
liantly throngsd springs.
Kate was very unlike her patroness,
as she eat there pale and quiet In her
blue dress. Her face was oval, with
limpid, hazel eyes; featlreB pure aud
straight, and masses CT raven. bisc
hair cooled in heavy braids at the back
OF her head. ''Insiptd looking |" Mrs.
Major Dartburg declared. Kats cared
very littlo for the verdict, as long az her
'sa.ary," as Mrs. Dartburg preferred
to phrate 1t, snfficed for the support Of
her two orphan brothers.
mo" said Mrs. Dartburg, queru
olsly,' don't look as well as usual,
and II Mr., Truxton ia to be there, |
want to look better. Mr.. Truxton has
estates In the West Indies, owns yacht
and drives q four finland. ] tell you
what, Kate, you must put on a little
mora rouge on the left cheek Aud,
kste-if you would only leave of wear
ing these dowdy black dresses! Il
really am beginning TO bs ashamed Of
you when we 20 into the ball room. Do
get something new and stylish; black
iron grenadine or China Grape"
Il have Others to provide for beside
myself" said Kste, quietly. 81 can
mot afford the new decorations of which
you speak, Mrs. Dartburg."
But Pm not aware that am called
up1n to support all the bsggars and
orphans in creation - said the widow,
sharply. Here, put this spray of
purple pans!es ia your hair; they arc
quite mourning enough, I'm sure"
Mrs. Dartbure'S scarlet Tipped smila
was IN wontedly sweet that night, as
she cour.esied low TO Mr.. Truxton, the
rich widower.
"He's handsome" thought the hus.
band huntress Dear me. he can't be
over forty, and as straight as an
arrow"
And she chatted away in her most
fascinating manner, rs che walked
through the rooms, leaning on Mr..
Truxtou's arm.
"a very agreeable woman" thought
the millionaire, Though not 80 young
as she has been. Knows every body.
and seems exceedingly amiaole, II II
should marry again-and, really, little
Tom needs woman's care when he is
at homs for the hoidavs--it certainly is
worth thinking abou'"
These were the disjointed media
tiors that passed through Mr.. Trux
ton . mind as hs politely listened to the
widow 4 chit chat, and asked questions
about the various occupants of the
crOwded room.
"WhO Is that tall girl by the win.
dow" he inquired, "with tho black
eyes and the hair?"
How strange that you should notice
her! Why, she 10 my companion, X Ate
OrDsby, o sort OF poor relation, wnom
| keep with mo out Of charity"
Very kind OF you, am sure eaid
Mr.. Truxton, and be thought again tn at
with such a very smiable parsonage as
this, his motherless little boy would
hardly fail to be happy
tits trial at times" went on Mrs.
Dartburg, who was determin med to neu.
traliza the admiration which boamed in
Mr.. Truxton's eyes, as he glanced back
over his shoulder toward Kate's queen
ly form, 'for her temper is exceedingly
upcerts in
Mr.. Truxton felt himself more aud
more attracted toward this angelic
creature, and ha took the first cpp0rtu-
lily TO ask il she was fond of children
u adore them said the widow,
clasping her hsuds.
81 am glad of that said Mr.. Tfux.
ton, ~ have n little boy OF my own"
How Transparent Ia man! 10 1t any
wouder that Mrs. Dartburg felt, as she
took of her curls and teeth at twelve
O'Clock, that she had doro good even
ine's work.
1t happened that next day Mr.. Trux.
took 1t In to his head to go to ST. Sebas-
tian's Hall, a select boarding house "for
boys ander twelve" to See his little son.
"Have you been to Saratoga, pap"
loudly demanded Tommy Truxton.
Jack aud Billy Ormsby have got q
sister at Saratoga"
And Jack and Billy, two apple
checked urchins, of nine and ten,
chimed artletsly I'M
"Dld you see our Kate, sir?"
"Who la your Kate?" asked Mr..
vfuxton, amused at their boy ways.
She's Miss Ormsby." said Bill,
land she's companion to Old Cat Dart
burg"
"To-whom did You say?" asked the
widower, some what puzzled.
'He means Mrs. Major Dartburg,"
explained Jack; "but he calls her Old
Cat because she's 80 Cross to Kate.